What is China ACTUALLY like - is it really dangerous/evil?

(Original post by A.K85)
Democracy does not exist, anywhere. Nor does an objective media.

If you want peace, progress and prosperity then look at undemocratic countries such as Singapore, Taiwan, China etc.

The average Chinese doesn't care about democracy, they are just interested in making money and progress. Only a trifle have can be bothered. This is no different than the EU. A handful of unelected EU political elite ruling millions with an iron fist, unopposed. Does anybody protest in Brussels? No way.

Of course they do. This would be a discussion for another thread but even a two-second glance at European politics will present you with a raft of Anti-EU parties who regularly voice their opposition to the EU's style of government and its policies. Haven't you ever heard of UKIP and the like?

(Original post by Aurorae)
Having been to Tibet in 2008, I can tell you that events such as self-immolation and other horrendous events are rare. Tibet is not filled with military paratroopers, nor are there constant protests 'for democracy'. There will always be those who oppose the Chinese government but for the majority of Tibetans, life is not full of prejudice and suppression.

Yes the Chinese government's record isn't brilliant, especially with the Tienanmen Square massacre, but I believe that human rights have become more prioritised than it previously may have been.

That's a fair point, I understand that the violence in Tibet ebbs and flows and of course its not dangerous all of the time. Is it fair to say there is an underlying feeling of unease though? I mean the Tibetan people themselves are not favourable of the Chinese occupation so I imagine it doesn't take long for incidents to flare up.

Anyway I bow to your superior knowledge on the matter, without having being there myself I'm no master on the topic!

(Original post by A Mysterious Lord)
It's like North Korea, it's all blown out of proportion by Western media to suit their agenda. While I don't doubt these regimes are backward and repressive, they're not THAT bad.

Yeah. You only have to see real documentaries on YouTube to see how life is for the average Chinese.

I think it's fair to say that human rights in China have improved enormously over the last 30 years.

Yes there are still restrictions, but it's a MILLION times better for the ordinary Chinese now than under Chairman Mao, when you had to stay in the job you were assigned to for life, there were spies in every neighbourhood, workplace and school ready to denounce you, you weren't allowed to start a business and everyone was desperately poor.

The economic freedoms that have been initiated in China, along with certain actions of the Party, have actually succeeded in lifting tens of millions out of poverty, and economic openness has led to a lot more freedom for the average citizen, provided they don't criticise the goverbnment too much. That might not sound great in Western eyes, but compared to how China has traditionally been, it's a huge step forward.

If you look at China's violent past over the last 200 years, you can see how fragile it is, with frequent rebellions, invasions etc resulting in the deaths of millions of people. For the Communist party to be holding together such an enormous and diverse population is quite an achievement. Who knows - maybe in a generation or so, the leaders will have clamped down on the corruption that is frequently cited as a major grievance amongst the people, and increased prosperity will mean they feel comfortable enough to give people more political freedoms. I don't think China could become a democracy overnight.

(Original post by Bellissima)
ok so I'm sure most people have heard the "if chinese athletes don't win they are slaughtered/sent to labour camps/beaten up/exiled/hated by the nation" etc. there are so many people saying this. then also about how evil the government is and that they aren't free and they are really opressive and kill and torture their citizens.

i know there is censorship in China and the government is quite controlling, but to what degree? how much of this anti-chinese government feeling has been stirred up as propaganda by press/USA/other governments?

Most Chinese carry on their lives without worrying too much about the censorship. It is more like "The Emperor's New Clothes" in action. Many can go around the censorship. Read this article -http://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2008/03/-ldquo-the-connection-has-been-reset-rdquo/6650/.

A country of over 1.3 billion people can find plenty of fans of the government. The urban life and rural life is vastly different. Communist party still have base among peasants. But they are losing this ground due to local corruption and widening income gaps. Urban middle class is benefiting most from modern China. Most participate in the race of a extreme version of capitalism. It is a strange scene in a communist country. As long as the communist party is in power, you can carry on however you like it.

Athletes won't be sent to jail. Things are done more subtly comparing to highly repressive years. Athletes are afraid to fail because that is what they live for. Your training is funded by the state. Gold for your country means instant stardom and wealth. Few well-off families will send their kids to do Olympic sports. Would you take the chance if this is the way out of your village and poverty?

China is not outright scary, but it is complex and often strange. It is communism on its way to something nobody knows. It is fascinating and draining at the same time.
No media is value neutral. China does not have independent media. That sucks.

On this particular issue,yes.its completely nonsense that those who don't win a medal in olympics get slaughtered/sent to camps.it'll be more fair to say Chinese just don't want to miss a chance to impress the rest of world...in their own way

(Original post by cod2012)
Most Chinese carry on their lives without worrying too much about the censorship. It is more like "The Emperor's New Clothes" in action. Many can go around the censorship. Read this article -http://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2008/03/-ldquo-the-connection-has-been-reset-rdquo/6650/.

A country of over 1.3 billion people can find plenty of fans of the government. The urban life and rural life is vastly different. Communist party still have base among peasants. But they are losing this ground due to local corruption and widening income gaps. Urban middle class is benefiting most from modern China. Most participate in the race of a extreme version of capitalism. It is a strange scene in a communist country. As long as the communist party is in power, you can carry on however you like it.

Athletes won't be sent to jail. Things are done more subtly comparing to highly repressive years. Athletes are afraid to fail because that is what they live for. Your training is funded by the state. Gold for your country means instant stardom and wealth. Few well-off families will send their kids to do Olympic sports. Would you take the chance if this is the way out of your village and poverty?

China is not outright scary, but it is complex and often strange. It is communism on its way to something nobody knows. It is fascinating and draining at the same time.
No media is value neutral. China does not have independent media. That sucks.